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PARKERSBURG -- Housing initiatives administered by the City of Parkersburg have assisted nearly three dozen households in the first three quarters of 2023.
The city administers the Parkersburg-Wood County HOME Consortium funded by federal HOME dollars. Although its budget is approved each fiscal year by Parkersburg City Council, it serves residents throughout Wood County and its municipalities.
According to a release from the city, the consortium's Down Payment Assistance Program has closed on 12 loans to assist income-eligible, first-time homebuyers in the county with down payments and closing costs. The forgivable loans, which can be for up to $15,000, have totaled $160,788, and five more are expected to be processed by the end of the year.
The city funds the Minor Home Repair and Emergency Home Repair programs through federal Community Development Block Grant money that must be used in low-to-moderate-income Census tracts. The programs provide grants for needed improvements to homes for people who may not normally qualify for a traditional home equity loan so they can bring the unit "closer to state and local building code standards and provide more safe and sanitary living conditions," the release said.
From January to September, these programs assisted 23 households with needed repairs totaling over $200,000.
"Repairs include items such as roofing, windows, siding, electrical upgrades or HVAC improvements," the release said.
"The success of our housing initiatives in 2023 is a testament to the dedication and collaboration of the Parkersburg/Wood County HOME Consortium and the City of Parkersburg," said Lisa Cullum, financial compliance officer for the City of Parkersburg. "We are thrilled to see so many families achieving their dream of homeownership through DPAP and countless others benefiting from safer and more comfortable living conditions through MHRP and EHR. Our commitment to improving housing accessibility and safety remains unwavering, and we look forward to continued success in the years to come."
More information about the Parkersburg/Wood County HOME Consortium and city housing programs is available online at www.parkersburgwv.gov/housing or by contacting Cullum at lisa.cullum@parkersburgwv.gov or 304-424-8595.